• Description of Program
• Admission
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The Sport Communication Program reflects the widening opportunities that exist in the area of communication within the professional, collegiate, and amateur sports industries. This multidisciplinary major provides students with an effective mix of practice and theory, while exposing students to new and innovative methods of sport communication, particularly in the areas of new and social media.
 
With the cooperation of the Department of Telecommunications and the School of Journalism, the Department of Kinesiology offers undergraduate programs in sport communication—broadcast and print, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree. The sport communication-broadcast emphasis concentrates on courses in new and electronic media, such as social media and Internet, television, radio, and other technologies. Additionally, both specialization areas offer instruction in advanced new media technology, such as blogging, podcasting, and online communications.
 
The kinesiology curriculum provides the student with an understanding of the science of human movement and the interrelationship among the historical, sociological, and psychological elements of sport. Combining the kinesiology curriculum with the print or broadcast specialization provides for a more thorough background than is possible if the areas are studied separately.

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree with a major in sport communication-broadcast will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the sport communication-broadcast program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

• The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores: A combined critical reading and math score of 1270 on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 29 on the ACT (American College Test).
• The applicant must have either graduated in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class or earned a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

Before entering the School of Public Health - Bloomington as a sport communication-broadcast major, all other students must meet both of the following criteria:

• The student must successfully complete at least 26 credit hours.
• The student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Indiana University.

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in sport communication-broadcast to the University Division Records Office. Undergraduate students who complete the semester before certification of admission to the school with less than a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be admitted on a probationary status. 

International applicants for admission to a second undergraduate degree program in the School of Public Health - Bloomington, whose primary language is not English, must satisfy one of the following criteria before being considered for admission directly into one the School's degree programs:

• submission of a minimum score on the Test Of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL), of 550 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or 80 on the Internet-based test.
• submission of a minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• proof of completing at least three full years of secondary school in a predominantly English speaking country. A current list of such countries can be found here.

For students from countries where the TOEFL and the IELTS are not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering. Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section. There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of the results of this test.

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements. If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency. If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country. In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

The four-year sport communication-broadcast curriculum combines the subject matter of human movement and sport with a significant body of course work in the Department of Telecommunications. There is a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) entrance requirement. Graduation requirements include:

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of sport communication-broadcast major requirements.
• a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in a combination of ANAT-A 215 and courses with the following department code-prefixes: SPH-A, SPH-C, SPH-D, SPH-K, and SPH-P
• No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2013-2014 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Major (82 cr.)

Sport Communication Course Requirement (36 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-C 213 Introduction to Sport Communication (3 cr.)
• SPH-C 251 Sport and Electronic Media (3 cr.)
• SPH-C 329 Issues in Sport Communication (3 cr.)
• SPH-C 497 (Formerly: HPER-P 438) Internship in Sport Communication (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 450 Topic: Introduction to Kinesiology in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 304 Sport Industry Studies (3 cr.) (repeatable with different topic)
• SPH-M 333 Sport in America: Historical Perspectives (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 382 (Formerly: HPER-P 392) Sport in American Society (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 411 Legal Issues in Sport Settings (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 415 Sport Promotion and Public Relations (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 418 Sport Marketing (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 426 Sales Management in Sport (3 cr.)

Sport Communication-Broadcast Elective Requirement (9 cr.):
Complete 9 credits from the following courses:

• SPH-K 405 Introduction to Sport Psychology (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 304 Sport Industry Studies (3 cr.) (repeatable with different topic)
• SPH-M 328 Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 404 Colloquium in Sport Management (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 423 Financial Principles of Sport (3 cr.)

Oral and Written Communication Requirement (6 cr.)
Complete 6 credits from the following courses:

• BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3 cr.)
• BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3 cr.)
• CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.) +(A&H)
• CMCL-C 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• ENG-W 203 Creative Writing (3 cr.) (P: W 103)
• ENG-W 270 Argumentative Writing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 280 Literary Editing and Publishing (3 cr.)
• INFO-I 202 Social Informatics (3 cr.)
• THTR-T 120 Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting (3 cr.)

Telecommunication Core (12 cr.)
Complete the following four required courses:

• TEL-T 101 Media Life (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• TEL-T 205 Introduction to Media and Society (3 cr.)+(S&H)
• TEL-T 206 Introduction to Design and Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 207 Introduction to Telecommunications Industry and Management (3 cr.)

Telecommunications 300/400 Level Electives (6 cr.)
Complete six credits of 300/400 level Telecommunications courses.:

Telecommunications Elective at any level (3 cr.)
Complete a three-credit Telecommunications course at any level.:

Journalism Core (10 cr.)
Complete the following four required courses:

• JOUR-J 110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• JOUR-J 155 Research Techniques for Journalists (1 cr.)
• JOUR-J 200 Reporting, Writing, and Editing 1 (3 cr.)
• JOUR-J 210 Visual Communication (3 cr.)

+ Courses followed by a A&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, arts and humanities requirement.

+ Courses followed by a N&M notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematic sciences requirement.

+ Courses followed by a S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

Special Opportunities

The Sport Communication program supports and sponsors IUSportcom, the only all-digital, all-sports student media website in the country. Through this media portal, students gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of areas, including written stories, podcasting, video stories, social media interaction, and more. IUSportCom content producers cover every Indiana University varsity sport, and the website is a credentialed media member within the IU community. The site is designed to provide a venue for students to gain experience, sharpen their skills, and get their work published and presented to a large, multifaceted audience of both students and IU sports fans. IUSportCom content producers are also highly active in sports blogging, writing and commenting on their thoughts and opinions throughout the sports world, including NCAA athletics, major professional sports such as the NFL and the NBA, and even international sports such as soccer and auto racing. There is no prior experience required to become a member of IUSportcom. For more information, visit the website at www.iusportcom.com.

Direct experience in the area of sport communication is an important component of this undergraduate major. Through practica, internships, and/or field experiences, students have the opportunity to work and train in a variety of sport and communication related fields. Local internship opportunities include Indiana University athletics, the Colts, Indiana Pacers and Fever, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Natatorium, AAA baseball at Victory Field, the NCAA Headquarters, and four sport National Governing Bodies.
 
Specialized advising is provided to assist students with degree planning that allows them to tailor their degree to meet long-term goals. Students are required to meet with an academic advisor at least twice a year.

The Sport Communication Program also sponsors and supports the IU Sport Communication Club. The goal of this club is to bring together students from across campus who are interested in the world of sport communication, careers in the industry, and opportunities in sports media across campus.
 
Career resources are provided through the expertise of a career specialist to assist students in career planning, resume and cover letter preparation, and skill development for the interview process. In addition the Career Center contains a variety of up-to-date and highly accessible resources designed to facilitate long-range decision making and future employment considerations.

Careers

Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport Communication will be prepared for entry-level positions in radio, television, athletic or sports information, sports journalism, public and/or community relations, and promotions.
 
Students may also find employment with semiprofessional and professional sports teams in the area of media relations. Graduates are likely to be knowledgeable in a variety of sport communication applications and suited to diverse employment opportunities.